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Disclaimer: I own nothing, just the plot.

Chapter Five

The next few days proceeded without incident. Harry, however, was making a point to be around Hermione more often. She constantly felt trapped beneath his gaze. The year had gone from being awkward to just plain scary. Hermione didn't like how protective Harry was being to her. Few words were spoken between them as always, but he kept a determination to be by her side at all times. Suffocated, Hermione had to get away. The first trip to Hogsmeade was rounding the corner, and she couldn't wait to get out of the confines of this blasted school.

In potions class, Snape had ended up replacing Draco's old partner, Harry, with none other than Hermione. The two worked efficiently and professionally. Neither brought up anything that wasn't related to the potion at hand.

"Hermione?" Harry called after class had ended. Reluctantly, Hermione answered to his call. "Yes?" she replied sweetly.

"Can I walk you to your next class?" Harry asked in a very sheepish tone. Hermione stared at him quizzically.

What is he on about?

"Harry," she began, very slowly.

"You're in my next class…"

Feeling stupid, a slight redness formed at the base of his neck. Draco, severely sickened by the scene played before him, cut in on the action. Briskly walking past the two, he knocked into Hermione, causing her to lose her balance. As if choreographed, Draco wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her from tumbling over. She grasped onto his neck for support. Looking up, she locked eyes with the mischievous savior.

"Watch where you're going Granger," he breathed, his face barely inches from her. Hermione quickly snapped out of her daze. Shoving herself away from him, she headed to the door.

"I believe you should watch where you're going Malfoy." She replied before leaving the room, Harry trailing behind her like a lost puppy looking for a way home.

Draco chuckled to himself and moved on to his next class.


"What is going on with you two?" Harry asked as soon as they stepped into the hallway. Hermione continued to walk, not particularly in the mood to argue with him.

"I haven't the faintest idea to what you are on about Harry," she said absentmindly, making her way to the Charms room.

Harry grabbed her arm and spun her around. "You know damn well what I'm on about!" he hissed not even caring about the small flash of fear playing in Hermione's eyes.

Hermione quickly gained her composure back, fury flashing in her eyes.

"First of all, Harry," she spat out, snatching her arm away from his grip. "You are not my boyfriend. You made sure of that last year. Secondly, you are not my guardian. I do not have to tell you every detail of what is going on in my life. Thirdly, you need to stop with this suspicious bullshit. There is nothing going on. Maybe you haven't noticed, but Malfoy has been a bit different since he got to school this year. He might not be as horrible as he once was."

"People can't change like that, Hermione." Harry said in a low tone. Hermione looked him square in the eye.

"You're right Harry. People don't change. I have prime example number one standing right in front of me." Her words made Harry's eyes change in and instant. His features went from angry to pure defeat. Before he could get a word in, Hermione charged down the hallway and out of his sight.

Standing in the far corner, Draco nodded in understanding at the scenario. Once Harry had gone, he swiftly followed the trail to find Hermione.


It was cold, it was raining. It was perfect. Hermione stood outside on the astronomy tower, looking over the balcony. She gripped the stone railing so hard her fingernails began to splinter. She ignored the pain and continued, adding scratching the stone to her agenda. Draco slowly emerged from the entrance. He said nothing, but Hermione knew he was there.

"How can he do that to me? How could he just assume…" her voice trailed off.

Draco walked closer to her. The rain was dropping at a steady, drenching rate. His clothes instantly soaked in the water as he stood beside her. Looking down, he saw her splintered nails slowly seeping with blood. He did nothing.

Without facing Hermione, he spoke.

"People fear being left out." His voice was soft, the words somewhat comforting.

"But I have never left Harry out of anything. He and Ron are my best friends. I don't keep secrets from them."

A complete lie.

"They know nothing about you do they?" Draco asked.

Silence.

"I guess they don't." came a tiny reply.

"I don't even know my own self." Hermione realized.

Draco turned to face his back to the barrier that prevented him from falling to his death. He looked at Hermione, mesmerized by her image. She stood soaking wet, her hair plastered to her face. Her school uniform would be ruined by the rain. So would his, but he didn't care. He reached out and lifted her chin so he could see her eyes. He allowed himself to fully indulge in the pools of chocolate.

"It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul," he quoted. Hermione didn't pull back, she didn't cringe at his touch.

"What do you see?" she asked. Draco did not answer. He just stared, enthralled by her raw beauty.

"What happened to you?" He asked, breathless.

She stayed silent, averting her eyes from his view. As much as he did not want to allow it, he had to give into her demands, and let her look away, depriving him of what he sought after.

"You were always so strong, so sure of yourself, Hermione." He paused.

Hermione. Not Granger, or mudblood. Just Hermione.

"How can someone like you lose track of your own identity?" he continued.

Hermione pondered for awhile. "I guess I never had one."

Draco sighed. "Well I guess we'll just have to find it."

Hermione's features turned to her hopeless state. She could hear the voices coming back. She could already feel her collapse before it even happened. Her breath steadily grew faster.

Draco moved closer to her. Slowly, he positioned himself behind her, slipping his arms around her waist and burying his face in her neckline. Hermione did not move. She did not scream. For the absolute first time in her life, she felt safe with a man.

A man.

Draco was no boy. His rock hard muscular body pressed against her back. He was grown and mature. He had passed his days of jacking around and breaking girls hearts. He had indeed changed in a magnitude way since being sent to St. Mungo's. Maybe he could help her, but how? Her mind shuffled so many thoughts she was starting to get a headache.

"I'm scared." She confessed in a barely audible whisper.

"That's normal," Draco said, gently pressing his lips to her neck.

"Were you scared?" she asked. "I mean, when you went to St. Mungo's? Were you scared?"

Confessing fear was like showing weakness to Draco. A Malfoy was never to be fearful, only feared by others.

"Draco?"

"Yes. I was scared, but not of going to the hospital. I was scared of what would happen when I got out. My initiation to the death eaters had been postponed because of the hospitalization. For that I am lucky, and grateful. But now, I have no excuse. If forced to join them, I'd half to."

Hermione didn't argue. She understood. Having and abusive step-father herself, she completely knew the consequences to disobeying an order. There was no freedom. They were both trapped like animals. But they were trapped together. They shared the same cage.

Softly subduing her shaky breaths, Hermione laid her head back on Draco's chest. They didn't know how long they stood out there, in the rain, on that tower. It could have been hours, it could have been minutes. Time had no limit or distinction for them. Softly listening to the pitter patter of droplets connecting with stone and concrete, the couple shared together the ultimate feelings of bliss.